Rhene pinguis, Wesolowska & Haddad, 2009

Wesolowska, Wanda & Haddad, Charles R., 2009, Jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) of the Ndumo Game Reserve, Maputaland, South Africa, African Invertebrates 50 (1), pp. 13-103 : 78-79

Rhene pinguis sp. n.

Figs 165–169

Etymology: From Latin pinguis (fat, thick); the name refers to the swollen shape of the spider.

Diagnosis: The male of the species can be distinguished from congeners by the shape of the embolus, which has a tip with a wide vane. Female unknown.

Description:

Male.

Measurements: Carapace length 1.7, width 1.8, height 0.8. Abdomen length 2.0, width 1.6. Eye field length 1.2, anterior width 1.1, posterior width 1.8.

General appearance as in Fig. 165; very flat, thickset, hairy spider. Carapace flat, greatly broadened, almost square; eye field very large, trapezoid, occupying majority of carapace. Anterior and posterior eye rows close to each other; carapace brown, eyes with black rings, ocular area punctured reticulate; dense brown hairs cover whole carapace, only some small whitish scales in thoracic part medially; clypeus very low, dark. Chelicerae unidentate; labium, endites and sternum dark brown. Abdomen rounded, strongly flattened, its anterior edge covering posterior part of carapace; large scutum on abdominal dorsum, dark brown, white hairs forming poorly contrasted white patches near spinnerets and three pairs of small patches placed medially ( Fig. 165); venter brown; spinnerets dark. First pair of legs black, distinctly bigger and thicker than others, with patellae and tibiae densely covered with long black hairs; legs II–IV brown, metatarsi lighter proximally, tarsi yellowish; first leg with two pairs of spines ventrally on metatarsi, without spines on tibiae. Pedipalps brown; palpal tibia short, with short hooked apophysis ( Figs 167, 168); tegulum large, convex, spermophore meandering ( Figs 166, 167); embolus very short, placed on apex of haematodocha, with wide vane on tip ( Figs 166, 169).

Holotype: ơ Western shore of Shokwe Pan, 26 ° 52.013'S: 32 ° 12.982'E, F. sycomorus forest, beating, short shrubs, 1.xii.2000 ( NCA 2009 /673).

Habitat and biology: This species was rare and the only specimen was collected by beating foliage in FF.